Yaoi-Con 2008 | A Celebration of Male Beauty & Passion in Anime & Manga

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What if the Cafe does really well and makes the con lots of money? Will you have to tell them to change the cast to all men? Would you close it down?

Actually, Bishounen_Hideto, Cafe Verfuhren is being hosted by YaoiCon, but is not affiliated with it. It is an independent project that has been graciously granted a venue in this convention, and the cover charge goes to help the Cafe staff make back their own costume and supply costs. It's an event that's there for people to attend if they want to, just like every panel and event at the con -- and those who disagree with it are by no means obligated to attend. It's a cast of girls because this particular group of female cosplayers feels more comfortable acting out their events with one another rather than strangers, and given the subject matter being portrayed, I think anyone would call that more than fair.

And to everyone else who feels like using Cafe Verfuhren as an arguing block for their Bishonen Auction complaints.......

The casting has nothing to do with Yaoi-Con policy at all, much less *anything* to do with the Bishonen Auction. The people who are planning the Cafe are working very hard to make this a good project -- your views on the Bishonen Auction are valid, but don't use the Cafe as an example. We want everyone to enjoy every part of YaoiCon, both the planners and the attendees alike, so let's not discourage the people who are trying to help create a fun, entertaining weekend.

Personally, I'd be all for women who identify as men along with women cosplaying as bishis in the auction if they were really good and really knew what they were in for. There would have to be an anouncement before her performance stating that she is in fact, a female, and such and sounds like an interesting idea to me. The only problem I can forsee is of course, the constant objectification placed upon women and because of that, her safety would be at a far greater risk.

I know I'm hideously late in replying. First of all, let me say I'm proud to hear YCon did so well this year in a lot of ways. YCon gets better and better each year. You have TOP NOTCH staff.

Second of all, I meant no disrespect to the Cafe people. Your idea looks terribly fun and I hope it was a success. I'm looking for con reports about it as we speak.

In short, I meant no disrespect to anyone nor was I trying to put the poor Cafe people in the middle of this argument or use them as a weapon. My apologies for very much appearing to do so.

I still do not feel this issue has been adequately resolved. I personally find it a bit sad and almost insulting to be told, "Nobody wants to pay for you so you're not welcome." simply because I don't have the right plumbing. The one point that has been hammered out again and again has made it through, though.

Whether I think I'm right or wrong, I know this isn't my con, and I'm sorry if I seemed rude about it. I simply feel strongly about the issue.

Seeing as someone poked me with the idea of, "You think you can do better? You come do it." What if I DID ask to organize a "Bishie Auction" but stipulated it could include crossplay? What would people say to that? This is not me putting a bid in to DO so so much as me asking if it would be a waste of time to try. Living on the east coast, me travelling to YCon just to pitch a fit or tantrum is unreasonable. (And more so even if I lived locally!) Coming to enjoy what's so GREAT about YCon, however, is every bit worth it. If I can add to that with an enjoyable event, that makes it all the sweeter.

I find that to be an interesting idea, I guess, but I think it'd have to be absolutely certain that said event does not compete with the Bishie auction (for the sake of both events, splitting the audience would be a very, VERY bad thing)... and I don't really imagine how that could be done.

Good foundation idea, nonetheless, though. I'd actually take it a step further and stipulate that your event should be ONLY crossplaying biological females, making it a more specialized event, even as the bishie auction itself is. :]